The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1887-06-09
MIDDLEBURGH, SNYDER CO., PENNA, JUNE g. 1881

made signs for me to oat ell | could
When my lock expressed wonder
she resorted to tho sign language to
demonstrate q man alone on the
plains striving to escape from some.
thing or somebody
Had tho lndisa friend takon her
into his eon6dsncei l had already
asked myself this question when she
answered it by pointing TO the meat
in the kctllo and then pointing to
the tree under which | had agreed
to meet him When she saw that
l comprohended shc smiled and
nodded hor hosd. The grateful old
squaw wished mo God speed.
In an Indian village when there
is nothing Of Important going on,
most Of the people have turned in
by 0 o'clock in evening, aud at 10
only the dogs are astir. Had been
strange to tho brutes could not
have stirred outside the lodge with.
ont creating q rumpus and without
being attacked had moved among
them 20 long. however, that although
every canine in the village, from the
oldest veteran down TO the smalles
pup, hated me, they let mo pass un-
challenged to and fro.
IL was after 10 O'Clock and the
village had been quiet for some time
before l moved. l reasoned that
the boldest way was the best; and
when once outside the lodge start
ed of like one having the perfect
right to go and come. My footsteps
must have been heard in some lodg-
es, but no one rushed out to halt me
or make inquiries. l maintained an
even pace to the outskirts OF the vii
lrge, aud then halted for FIVE minu-
tss to listen. Everything was quiet
evon the dogs, and when satisfied Of
this l made straight for the tree.
The Indian was there holding a
horse. The animnl was bridled and
saddled, and l soon discovered that
he was one captured from the sol.
dier. A blanket aud quantity Of
provisions were strapped behind
the saddle As | same up the In
dian extended his hand to grasp
mide and whispered:
Hurry Ride two day! Como to
fort! Keep straight this way!'
God! bless you'' l said, rs /
wrung his hand
Take rifc! Tako powder! Take
bullotsn he saii, as ! mounted tho
horse; and tho articloa were handed
up one aiteranother.
Hurry! Ride fast! May be Dog
Killer come after you!'
lie hurried away in the direction
of the village, and l headed TO the
northeast, walking tho horse for half
mile and tben urging him TO cantor
aud holding him TO il for two hours,
l had made a successful start and
was highly slated thorest. Tho one
ly drawback was tho foar that !
might not preserve tho proper direo.
ton. 1t was dark, starless night,
and il would have tested the powers
Of an Indian to keep dead to tho
northeast.
My horse did not get breathing
spell until about 2 O'Clock in tho
morning. | wss least thirty miles
from the village aud heard nothing
to alan me. dismounted on the
plain, removed the saddle, and had
rested with the horse for perhaps
half an hour, whom he suddenly
threw mp his head and looked keenly
into the darkness toward the south
vest. / put my ear to the ground I,
and the thud; thud of a horses feet
on the plain Was distiuct. 1t was
some one soming up on my trail, asd
il must bs an enemy.
l saw my steed draw long breath
aud throw up bis head, as il to utter
q neigh Of welcome, and ! had him
by the jaw in second could not
make him lie down, aud I dared not
let 60 my grip. Thud thud came
the hoof beats,aud after typ or three
seconds q horse and rider passed
within City feet Of as, headed to the
northeast. II was simply . black
spot on tho black night, and my
heart Was In my mouth 40 IL came
opposite. felt certain that il wss
Dog Killer on my trail.
When I could no longer hear the
koof-bsats I released my horse aud
sat down to plan my future coarse.
The chief could not be following my
trail in tho darkaess, but ho was